Monsters and Combat

$$ The world teems with creatures both wondrous and terrible. From the smallest goblin to ancient dragons that can destroy cities with their breath, these beings challenge adventurers not just with tooth and claw, but with cunning, magic, and alien intelligence. Understanding your foes—their habits, their weaknesses, their desperate fury when cornered—is often the difference between triumph and becoming another cautionary tale whispered in taverns.

Initiative and Insight

$$ Combat flows in alternating rounds, the party acts as one, then all monsters act together. This creates a dynamic where teamwork and tactical coordination become paramount.

Rolling Initiative

$$ At the start of each encounter, each party member rolls a d6, the two highest d6 are used as the result of the roll, with the following modifiers:

• Highest WIS+ modifier in the party (Tactical Awareness)
• Highest DEX+ modifier in the party (Quick Reflexes)
• +1 if anyone is knowledgeable about this monster type.
• +1 if the party is working cohesively (GM's discretion)

Monster Actions

$$ At the start of the round the GM rolls a single d6, this determines the actions of the monsters for the round. Compare the party Insight to the monster's move Insight DC:

• Insight ≥ DC: You know exactly what the monster will do this round
• Insight ≥ DC-2: Partial information ("It's preparing something big", "It's focusing on the wounded")
• Insight < DC-2: No information—the monster acts unpredictably

Monster Tags

$$ Similar to Equipment or Spells, monsters use a tag system to define their nature, capabilities, and behavior. These tags provide quick reference for special abilities, weaknesses, and tactical considerations.

Size Tags

• Tiny: Fits in your palm, such as an insect
• Small: From the size of a housecat, to halfling.
• Medium: About the size of a person.
• Large: Much bigger than a person, such as a cart.
• Huge: Enormous creatures, the size of a house or bigger.
• Gargantuan: Beyond normal scale, encounters may involve climbing on them or targeting specific body parts.

Organization Tags

• Solitary: Encounters this creature alone. It's either too powerful, too territorial, or too rare to appear in groups.
• Pack: Appears in coordinated groups of 3-6. Works together with basic tactics and mutual support.
• Horde: Appears in large, chaotic groups of 7+ creatures. Relies on overwhelming numbers rather than coordination.
• Organized: Appears in structured groups with clear hierarchy and sophisticated tactics. May have leaders, specialists, and battle plans.
• Unique: Only one exists in the world. Defeating it has permanent consequences for the setting.

Classification Tags

• A classification type as listed in The World: Fauna

Behavior Tags

• Aggressive: Attacks on sight and fights to the death. Cannot be reasoned with during combat.
• Territorial: Defends a specific area but may be negotiated with if approached carefully.
• Intelligent: Capable of complex reasoning, planning, and communication. May be willing to negotiate.
• Mindless: Acts on pure instinct or programming. Immune to mental effects but predictable.
• Cunning: Uses tactics, traps, and environmental advantages. Retreats when disadvantaged.
• Protective: Fights fiercely to defend something important (young, territory, treasure, etc.).

Special Ability Tags

• Armored: Natural armor that's difficult to penetrate. High armor values or damage resistance.
• Fast: Exceptional speed or mobility. May act multiple times or be hard to pin down.
• Flying: Can move through the air. Changes battlefield dynamics and may be unreachable by ground-bound foes.
• Regenerating: Heals damage over time. May require special methods to kill permanently.
• Stealthy: Expert at hiding and ambush. May surprise parties or disappear during combat.
• Venomous: Attacks inflict poison or other lingering effects beyond immediate damage.
• Spellcaster: Can use magic. Capabilities vary widely.
• n Resistant: Takes reduced damage from certain sources (fire, cold, weapons, etc.).
• n Vulnerable: Takes extra damage from specific sources. Clever players can exploit this.

Monster Statistics

$$ All monsters have the following core statistics:

Attributes: Like player characters, monsters have six attributes with modifiers.

Hit Points: The energy, focus, and ability to avoid serious harm a monster can sustain before being defeated.

Armor: Reduces incoming damage, functions identically to player armor.

Instinct: The driving motivation that guides the monster's behaviors and tactics.

Moves: Most monsters have a few moves, each corresponding to a range on the d6 roll.

Threat: A measure of their A𝜓 (Aetheric Pressure) as a measure of the scale of their capabilities.

• A𝜓 ~ 1 (Novice Adventurer)
  • HP: 3-8
  • Armor: 0-1
  • Attribute Modifiers: -1 to +2
  • Insight DC: 8-12
• A𝜓 ~ 2 (Experienced Adventurer)
  • HP: 6-12
  • Armor: 1-2
  • Attribute Modifiers: 0 to +3
  • Insight DC: 10-15
• A𝜓 ~ 3 (Veteran Adventurer)
  • HP: 10-16
  • Armor: 2-3
  • Attribute Modifiers: +1 to +4
  • Insight DC: 12-17

Sample Monsters

Instinct To survive and report back to the tribe

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Active Moves

Instinct To hunt in coordination with the pack.

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Active Moves

Instinct To follow commands without question

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Active Moves

Triggered / Passive Moves

Undying Does not permanently die when at 0 HP, and will reform from scattered bones unless fully destroyed. Scattered bones can be smashed, or if defeated with Holy damage.

Instinct To protect her grove at any cost.

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Active Moves

Triggered / Passive Moves

One with Nature While in natural terrain, cannot be surprised and gains +2 to all saving throws.
Forest Step Can teleport between trees up to far range when moving as if it were near range.

Instinct To protect the natural order and earth.

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Active Moves

Triggered / Passive Moves

Earthmeld Can sink into natural earth or stone as if it were water. While merged, cannot be targeted but also cannot use active moves.
Earth Resistance Takes 2 less damage and gets +1 to saving throws against effects with Earth alignment.

Instinct To protect and spread the flames of Ignareth.

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Active Moves

Triggered / Passive Moves

Fire Resistance Takes 4 less damage and gets +2 to saving throws against effects with Fire alignment.